four hours after the first call went out around 6 p.m., popping and crackling sounds could be heard as intense flames shot out from part of the property, which once housed the old Brown's Hotel. At around 10 p.m. explosions were heard.

More than 20 fire companies from Sullivan and Orange County battled not only the main fire, but brush fires ignited around the property by blowing embers.

It was still too early to tell if anyone was trapped inside. But anguished condo owners and renters lined Route 52, some in tears others taking pictures and video with their smartphones.

“I have everything going on in my life right now,” said Kathleen Hawkins, who cried as she hugged her boyfriend, Robert Favre. “This is just the cherry on top.”

The fire reportedly started in a basement boiler room in one of the development's buildings, said Linda Daster, a Staten Island resident with a vacation condo at Grandview. .

Daster had left her husband and two of her kids at an indoor pool to check on another child. Her husband knocked on their door five minutes later to say there was a fire.

“I'm just happy I got my dogs out and my kids out,” she said. “I don't even have a jacket to put on.”

The fire came about two months after the Town of Fallsburg threatened Grandview's Board of Managers with condemnation after a series of inspections turned up a number of fire and safety violations.

The concerns included inoperable fire-alarms and sprinklers, non-working fire doors and emergency lights, and exposed wiring.

Fallsburg cancelled a public hearing on condemnation last month under an agreement reached with the board.

The agreement required Grandview to maintain its sprinkler system in working order and come up with a plan to address numerous building-code violations.

It also was given 30 days to survey the fire- and smoke-detection systems in its main building and certify that emergency lighting was in working order within 30 days.

Bob Shapiro said Saturday was his daughter's birthday. He was showering inside his condo while his wife, daughter and son were out shopping. He ran out when the alarms sounded.

“I could care less about this,” he said. “I just wanted my family out.”

Steve Locurto was at the development's tennis courts when the alarm sounded. He was prevented from entering through one entrance as he rushed to save his parrot. He then entered through another entrance.

“When I went in my hall was completely filled with smoke,” he said. “I was only scared for her – my parrot.”

A fleet of buses eventually came to ferry weary residents to the fieldhouse at SUNY Sullivan. Some had year-round homes outside Sullivan. Others were unsure where they would stay.

“I want to know where I'm going to sleep tonight,” said Gaye Diaz, who owned a unit with her husband, George. “I have no clothes, no nothing.” lsparks@th-record.com